Javier Aquino on Mexico’s recent woes: “It’s everyone’s fault, not just the coach”
The former international struggled to explain the root of Mexico’s recent downturn but is confident that under Jaime Lozano, El Tri will win the Gold Cup.
Mexico’s recent crisis and the inability of recent coaches to steer the team back on track has caused no end of debate among the Aztec football community. The most recent to voice and opinion was former international Javier Aquino, who was capped 54 times by his country. Aquino admitted that Mexico’s recent performances have left a lot of people disappointed but insists that putting things right is everyone’s responsibility - the players, owners, coaching staff, etc. and not just the head coach - as we saw with Diego Cocca’s dismissal just a few weeks ago.
“Regarding the national team, I would have to be there to get an idea of what’s really going on,” Aquino said. “That’s the only way, to understand what to say, what not to say and take sides one way or another. Being on the outside, you see things differently. But I have seen how it works on the inside in the past. The national team is going through a complex moment, as we all know, in terms of results, and also perhaps both individual and group performances, but I think Jimmy is a great coach, as is Diego too. The coach always takes the blame - it has always been like because it’s easier to sack him than a group of players”.
He continued, “I think that ultimately, everyone is responsible. Each and every one knows what they have to contribute, what they have done, what they stopped doing... I think that they need to restructure the whole thing from top to bottom, make big changes. The players have to be responsible for what happens out on the pitch, because in the end we are the ones who play and obviously, we all know deep down what we do well and what we do wrong”.
As for Jaime Lozano’s appointment, the Tigres winger has complete faith in the famous Lambor-Jimmy to guide Mexico to glory at the Gold Cup. He has talented players on board that can help him lift the trophy and get his tenure off to the best possible start.
“I hope Jimmy is appreciated and that the players respond. I think they have all the capacity to win the Gold Cup. There is confidence in the team and obviously they enjoy being there. These are really beautiful moments, they should show that they are proud to represent Mexico,” he ended.